Islamic preacher goes on trial for Bali bombings

AN Islamic preacher who prosecutors say was the operations chief of an al-Qaida-linked terror group went on trial yesterday for last year’s Bali bombings, which killed more than 200 people.

Prosecutors allege Ali Gufron, 43, fought under Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan and was in charge of operations for Jemaah Islamiyah, which is blamed for the October 12 Bali blasts.

Dressed in a white Muslim shirt and skull cap, he raised his fist and angrily shouted “God is Great” as he took the stand in a temporary courthouse on the resort island.

Ghufron, also known by his alias Mukhlas, is the third key suspect to stand trial over the bloodiest terror attack since the September 11 strikes against the United States.

His trial is expected to reveal the inner workings of Jemaah Islamiyah, which has been accused of plotting a series of foiled attacks in southeast Asia.

Prosecutors Putu Indriati told the court Ghufron had “general responsibility” for the attack and played a key role in channelling the funds for it.

“When he heard on the radio about the bomb exploding on Bali, he thanked God because the plan had succeeded and many of the victims were America’s allies, including

Australians,” she said.

Ghufron and his fellow conspirators wanted to avenge the US’s alleged “indiscriminate slaughter and oppression of Muslims” and chose Bali as a target because of the large number of foreign tourists there, Indriati said.

If found guilty, Ghufron faces the death penalty under anti-terror laws rushed through in the days after the bombings. The trial, which lasted just 50 minutes, was adjourned until next week.